Duval's Surprise

Mayor Leaves A Record Marked Mostly By Success

January 23, 1996

Barry DuVal surprised everyone when, as a 28-year-old real estate broker, he was elected to the Newport News City Council in May 1988, winning more votes than any other candidate. He showed Monday that after 7+ years on council - and 5+ years as mayor - he still knows how to surprise.

DuVal's announcement that he will not seek re-election will surely prompt great speculation about the political ramifications, but we will be content here to say that DuVal has served the city well as a councilman and mayor. Any assessment of his tenure has to include the fact DuVal presided over a return of civility and professionalism to the council. The political and personal animosities and peculiarities for which the council had become noted prior to his arrival were an embarrassment to the city.

We have not always agreed with DuVal. He erred in 1989 by not voting for the real estate tax rate increase to help pay for the new terminal at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. He should not have become involved, to the extent that he did, in a dispute in 1993 between a developer and the city over the value of a piece of property.

Other criticisms could be made. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. Although we fault the airport-tax vote, DuVal became a strong advocate of the airport. His plan for the city's museums prompted a useful discussion of the city's cultural assets. He has been a voice for regional cooperation and an active participant in the recent progress that has been made in that direction. As the fever for riverboat gambling swept across Hampton Roads localities, DuVal was a consistent - and often lonely - voice of opposition. On that issue, time has shown the wisdom of his position.

DuVal's tenure as mayor coincided with a period of great economic uncertainty for Newport News, a result of the reduction in employment at Newport News Shipbuilding. Yet the city has been able to move ahead, despite this trauma. Great strides have been made in diversifying the area's work force. DuVal must be given some of the credit for this. Economic development doesn't grow on trees; it takes smart policy and firm commitment to make it happen. The mayor has helped lead the way.

DuVal is not leaving public life. He will remain active, including service on the Peninsula Airport Commission and on the Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University. By voluntarily leaving elected office, he sets an example many voters wish other politicians would follow. But we won't be surprised if one day DuVal's name is again found on a ballot. We hope so.